. >> reporter: for 18-year-old jennifer wang's parents, it's going to be tough. >> i think it's time for myself to be independent. >> reporter: on move-in day at the university of minnesota, the separation anxiety is just as hard, if not harder on the parents. you're allowed to cry a little bit, right? >> i cried already. >> reporter: here and at colleges around the country, grinell in iowa, moorhouse in georgia, princeton and others, colleges are trying to help by gently nudging the parents out. >> we're encouraging them to help the student move in, get settled and then it's time to spend good-bye. >> special programs and lectures for parents on one side of the campus while new students are free to meet up with friends across the quad. speaking honestly, there's been a bit of separation anxiety in my own household. this week, i shipped off my own two kids. and it was pandemonium, but my son had this message for his micromanaging parents. >> mom, dad, it's time to let go. >> reporter: i'm not ready to let go. >> you do still have a very important part in your student's life and you a